Socket Heights and Switch Positions From Corner

[Barnman]

I know the sockets need to be 450mm from finished floor level but is this the top or bottom of the socket? Also is there a min/max distance for light switches to be from a door to a room?

 

[GarethW]

Its 450mm to the bottom and 1200mm to the top of the accessory.

I don't believe that there is a set distance from the door frame.

 

[JohnnyG]

I know the sockets need to be 450mm from finished floor level but is this the top or bottom of the socket?

They only need to be of a certain height on new installs and anyone undertaking that should know what's required really.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Strictly speaking they don't need to be at any particular height, as there is no law specifying a particular height. Probably not worth picking a fight with your local ignorant BCO though, assuming Part M applies.

 

[ericmark]

For non domestic 350mm from corners and light switches should align with door handles within range 900mm to 1100mm. Also careful on socket heights these change between domestic 450mm and non domestic 400mm to 1000mm but floor mounting is allowed!
As already said it is common sense and as long as you can give good reason for not complying then normally you can get away with it.

For example to argue that when door is open it is not a corner and the light switch would be likely to be used as some one enters the room would to be may sense and so it would not need to be away from corner.

 

[ebee]

Where does this corner thingy and door handle ref come from?

 

[seasickstevie]

Never heard of this 1000 height for sockets and 1100 for switches in non-domestic.

I would have thought switches in non-domestic more likely to be higher than domestic, not lower.

 

[skenk]

This is copied from the Scottish Building Standards domestic technical handbook:

Outlets and controls of electrical fixtures and systems should be positioned at
least 350 mm from any internal corner, projecting wall or similar obstruction
and, unless the need for a higher location can be demonstrated, not more
than 1.2 m above floor level. This would include fixtures such as sockets,
switches, fire alarm call points and timer controls or programmers.

Within this height range:
• light switches should be positioned at a height of between 900 mm and
1.1 m above floor level.
• standard switched or unswitched socket outlets and outlets for other
services such as telephone or television should be positioned at least 400
mm above floor level. Above an obstruction, such as a worktop, fixtures
should be at least 150 mm above the projecting surface.
Where socket outlets are concealed, such as to the rear of white goods in a
kitchen , separate switching should be provided in an accessible position, to
allow appliances to be isolated.